Food and Dining Briefs for Nov. 26

North County Times

Sammy's food drive:
Sammy's Woodfired Pizza hasteamed with the Hand Up Youth Food Pantry for a Thanksgiving FoodDrive running through Tuesday at Sammy's locations in San DiegoCounty. Those who drop off a nonperishable, canned food item willreceive a coupon for a free signature giant Messy Sundae dessert.Go to www.sammyspizza.com.

Aqua Terra happy hour:
The popular restaurantinside the Pala Mesa Resort is now offering happy hour from 4 to 9p.m. Sundays, 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays and 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays.Discounts on appetizers, sandwiches, sushi and beer are included,as well as 50 percent off all sushi rolls and nightly drinkspecials. Also, Aqua Terra Bar now has a "Play the 19th Hole"special from noon to close that offers golfers who bring in theirscorecards a first beer for the price of their scorecard. Also,guests wearing football jerseys receive $1 off their first beer. Goto palamesa.com.

Tango Tasting Tuesday:
Tango Restaurant &Lounge in Escondido started offering Tasting Tuesday in its lounge.The special bar menu of "small bites" offers items from $3 to $7,including Sweet Potato Soup, Chilean Sea Bass and Grilled BisonFilet. Four flights will be offered to accompany the food: theReds, the Whites, the Bubbles and the Beer, all between $6 and $12.Go to www.tangoongrand.com or call 760-747-5000.

BICE opens:
BICE, which offers guests a mix oftraditional and contemporary trends in Italian cuisine, openedWednesday in the Gaslamp Quarter on the corner of Island and FourthAvenue. BICE features homemade pastas and offers dishes likePappardelle al Telefono, Ossobuco, whole Mediterranean sea bassroasted with garlic and rosemary on a bed of potatoes and more.BICE has a Cheese Bar and a private dining room. Appetizers are $9to $12; pastas are $10 to $16; entrees are $16 to $28; and a chef'sprix-fixe dinner with wine pairing is $40. Go towww.bicesandiego.com or call 619-239-2423.

Murrieta author honored:
Murrieta cookbookauthor Linda J. Amendt won two awards in the National Best Books2009 Awards. Her book "400 Sensational Cookies" won in theBaking/Bread category, and "175 Best Jams, Jellies, Marmalades& Other Soft Spreads" won in the Canning & Preservingcategory. Go to www.lindajamendt.com.

Pechanga restaurant hours change:
Therestaurants at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula have newhours. Blazing Noodles is open from 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Mondaythrough Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 a.m.Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday, with Dim Sum Saturday andSunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Paisano's is open from 5 to 10 p.m.Sunday through Tuesday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday (closedTuesday and Wednesday); Seafood Grotto is open from 5 to 10 p.m.Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday andSaturday (closed Monday and Tuesday); and Great Oak Steakhouse isopen from 5 to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Go towww.pechanga.com/dining.aspx.

Contestants sought for flauta-eating tourney:
Jose's Restaurant in La Jolla is seeking contestants for its firstsanctioned Jose's World Flauta-Eating Contest on Dec. 6. Officialswith the International Federation of Competitive Eating willoversee the race to see who can eat the most of Jose's signatureflautas (shredded chicken, wrapped in a flour tortilla anddeep-fried) in the allotted time. Jose's has been serving flautassince the 1970s, and spokesman Bill McHugh said he expects thewinner to consume 50 or more of the 1.5-ounce flautas (for cashprizes ranging from $500 to $2,000). Qualifying events will be heldat 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Jose's, 1037 Prospect St. Register at858-454-7655 or visit www.joses.com.

Steak night at Tango:
Tango Restaurant &Lounge in Escondido is now offering Steak Night on Wednesdays andSundays at 417 W. Grand Ave. Customers can enjoy a steak preparedas they like it for $15 to $28; go to www.tangoongrand.com or call760-747-5000.

Shared plates at Voyeur:
New nightclub Voyeurhas launched "Fortune Fridays," a weekly supper club from 7 to 9p.m. Fridays. For $20, customers can choose three items from a menuof dishes such as Blue Cheese & Pear Bites, with candied pecansand sherry vinegar; Korean Chicken Lettuce Wraps with kimchi,chicken and queso fresco; and Fritters, which surround darkchocolate in banana batter, served with cinnamon cream. Voyeur'srestaurant is open from 5 to 10 p.m. daily, with tapas for $5 from5 to 8 p.m. Go to www.voyeursd.com.

Tierra Miguel shares open:
Pauma Valley'sTierra Miguel Farm has a few shares open in its Community SupportedAgriculture program, which allows members access to regularshipments of farm-fresh produce to a site close to home. Go towww.tierramiguelfarm.org.

Suite Sundays debuts:
San Diego's Suite &Tender Restaurant this weekend kicks off a new program where happyhour pricing will be in effect all day on Sundays in the bar andlounge. Specials include a $20 bottomless glass of select wine,half-price cocktails and bar appetizers. The bar also now boasts aflat-screen TV for sports fans. Visit suiteandtender.com.

Donate and win:
House of France at Balboa Parkis collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots through Dec. 5(during the International Christmas Festival); on Dec. 5, the firstfive donors on Dec. 4 and 5 will receive a free crepe and onionsoup that night.

Hunter hits the desert:
Hunter Steakhouse inOceanside presents a "BBQ in the Desert" from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.Friday-Sunday at the Iron Woods Resort, 4875 Highway 78 in BorregoSprings. The menu will include tri-tip and chicken sandwiches,veggie and cheeseburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and more andprices are $4 to $7 for entrees, $1 to $2 for sides and $10 forcombo plates. Call 760-433-2633.

The Shores monthly pairings:
The ShoresRestaurant in the La Jolla Shores Hotel continues to offer monthly"Savor & Sip" tasting menus. Executive Chef Bernard Guillas andChef de Cuisine Augie Saucedo have created the menus to highlighteach seasonal ingredient, and Lisa Redwine has paired wine or beerwith each course. The three-course menus are available from 5 to 10p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call 858-456-0600 or go towww.theshoresrestaurant.com.

Gingerbread design:
The Grand Del Mar willdisplay decorative gingerbread houses beginning Dec. 1 for acompetition benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego. Thetheme is "The Greatest Stories Ever Told" and will have themes fromstories like Jack and the Beanstalk, the Wizard of Oz, the PolarExpress and more. A gala at 5 p.m. Dec. 1 will unveil the displayand also includes food, dessert, champagne and wine fromrestaurants such as the Grand Del Mar's Addison and Amaya, Bertrandat Mister A's, The Steakhouse at Azul of La Jolla, ThorntonWinery's Cafe Champagne, Savory Casual Fare and more. Go towww.epilepsysandiego.org or call 619-296-0161.

Pei Wei accepts donations:
Pei Wei Asian Dinerswill offer a "Pei Wei Exchange" on Wednesday, when customers canbring a nonperishable food item to one of its restaurants andreceive 25 percent off an entree. Go to peiwei.com.

Dream Dinners open house:
Dream Dinners in SanMarcos will hold an open house from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Wednesday at 1641 Grand Ave., Suite 102. Guests can sample theDecember menu, and new guests will be able to make a three-servingmeal. E-mail grandca@dreamdinners.com or call 760-471-0055.

Lobster-Maine-ia:
Major Market in Escondidowill serve up lobster dinners from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 4-6 inits parking lot at 1855 S. Centre City Pkwy. More than a pound ofMaine lobster, cole slaw, spicy black beans, corn on the cob, aFrench roll, and a soda or water costs $14.99. Surf and turf is$19.99; live lobsters are $7.99 per pound. Call 760-741-7827.

High-tide breakfasts:
The Marine Room in LaJolla will offer winter high-tide breakfasts, where diners canenjoy the high surf while dining on a buffet by Executive ChefBernard Guillas and Chef de Cuisine Ron Oliver; the buffet includeschilled seafood, wild mushroom frittata, Julian apple and tartcherry cheese blintzes, Virginia ham quiche and sweet treats.Buffet is $32 and does not include beverages, tax or tip. Call858-459-7222 or go to marineroom.com. The breakfast dates:

-- 8 to 11 a.m. Dec. 5

-- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6

-- 7 to 10 a.m. Dec. 29-30

Retro prices:
Ruby's will offer a retro-prices$2.70 RubyBurger with fries to celebrate the diner's 27thanniversary from 11 a.m. to closing Dec. 7. Go to www.rubys.com forlocations. Customers can also get a free burger with every $50 ingift card purchases.

Restaurant Row:
Old California Restaurant Rowin San Marcos is offering live entertainment and holiday happyhours at many of its 15 restaurants. Many of the restaurants willalso have specials for holiday dinners; go towww.oldcaliforniarestaurantrow.com or call 760-744-0550.

Christmas at Cafe Sevilla:
On Dec. 24, CafeSevilla in the Gaslamp Quarter offers a three-course, $27.95 dinner(modified children's menu is $12.95 for children 11 and under)beginning at 4 p.m., as well as the regular menu. On Dec. 25, the$27.95 dinner and regular menu are available beginning at 4 p.m.,and a Flamenco Dinner Show with a holiday buffet begins at 6 p.m.The buffet and show are $34.50 for adults and $19.95 for children12 and under. The Christmas menu includes items such as LobsterChowder With White Corn And Manchego Crouton; Flat Iron Steak WithCaceres Red Wine Reduction And Shallot Confit; and Pumpkin AndWhite Chocolate Bavarian Cream Cake With Caramel Mocha Sauce. Go towww.cafesevilla.com or call 619-233-5979.

Christmas at Harrah's:
At Harrah's RinconCasino & Resort, the International Buffet is $25.99 per personfrom 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 25. Fiore Steak & Seafood willhave a three-course $49 menu from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Dec. 25 withitems such as Butternut Squash Soup With Lobster Meat, and RoastedHalf-Rack Colorado Lamb With Parsnip Puree And Brussels Sprouts InMint-Merlot Sauce. The Cafe will have a $14.99 dinner from 11:30a.m. to midnight. Go to harrahsrincon.com.

Christmas at La Costa Resort:
Legends Bistro atLa Costa Resort & Spa will offer dinner from 5:30 to 11 p.m.Dec. 24; dinner is $55 for adults and $22 for children ages 5 to12. Legends will also offer Christmas Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4p.m. Dec. 25; brunch is $58 for adults and $22 for children ages 5to 12. Go to lacosta.com or call 800-854-5000.

Christmas at The Grand Del Mar:
The restaurantsat The Grand Del Mar will serve up dishes Dec. 24 and 25. AtAddison, a four-course tasting menu will be available from 6 to 10p.m. Dec. 24, featuring items such as Salt-Roasted Salmon andHoney-Baked Ham With Smoked Potatoes And Cabbage "Chou Farci";dinner is $98. Call 858-314-1900. Amaya will serve three-coursemeals from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24 and 25, with items such asCaramelized Nantucket Bay Scallops With Winter Truffle Risotto andPan-Roasted Loch Duart Salmon With Lobster Minestrone Broth AndRock Shrimp Ravioli. Dinner is $70 per person ($95 with winepairings) and $25 per child ages 6 to 12. Call 858-314-2727. Andthe Capella will host a brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 25 withitems such as Fall Mushroom Strudel and Pumpkin And Foie GrasTerrine, as well as traditional fare. Brunch is $85 per adult and$25 per child ages 6 to 12. Call 858-314-2000.

New Year's Eve at Bertrand at Mister A's:
Bertrand at Mister A's will offer dinner from 5 to 10:15 p.m. onNew Year's Eve and 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. New Year's Day. Go towww.bertrandatmisteras.com or call 619-239-1377.

New Year's Eve at Mille Fleurs:
At Mille Fleursin Rancho Santa Fe, dinner is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on New Year's Eveand New Year's Day. Go to www.millefleurs.com or call858-756-3085.

New Year's Eve at The Marine Room:
Twoseatings, at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., for New Year's Eve. The first willhave a three-course menu for $75 with options such as King OysterMushroom Bisque and Brandt Beef Filet Mignon. The second seatingwill be a Gala Dinner, a five-course meal for $125 that includesoptions such as Maine Lobster Trilogy and Tasmanian Salmon TourConfit. Guests can listen to music by Kamau Kenyatta, enjoy partyfavors and sip champagne at midnight. Go to www.marineroom.com orcall 858-459-7222.

New Year's Eve at The Shores:
The ShoresRestaurant in the La Jolla Shores Hotel will hold a $65 four-coursemenu from 5 to 10 p.m. Dishes include Baja Shrimp, Iceberg LettuceWedge Salad and Macadamia Butter-Basted Maine Lobster Tail. Dinneralso includes party favors and live entertainment from 8:30 p.m. to12:30 a.m. Also, for $12, guests can create their own signaturecocktails. Go to www.theshoresrestaurant.com or call858-456-0600.

New Year's Eve at Wilson Creek:
Wilson CreekWinery will hold a Mardi Gras Extravaganza at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. Theevent features a sit-down dinner, wine, feathered masks and beads,and music by Audiocast. Tickets are $160; go towww.wilsoncreekwinery.com or call 951-699-9463.

New Year's Eve at Pala:
The restaurants at PalaCasino Spa & Resort will have three different dinners: Choiceswill have a steak and seafood meal for $36 per person; Mama'sCucina Italiana will have dinner for $59; and the Oak Room willhave a $109 menu that includes a party at 10 p.m. Call877-946-7252.

New Year's Eve at La Costa Resort:
Two of therestaurants at La Costa Resort & Spa will offer dinner on Dec.31. Legends Bistro will offer dinner from 5:30 to 10 p.m. for $65for adults and $27 for children ages 5 to 12. BlueFire Grill willhave two seatings: the 6 p.m. seating is $80 for adults and $35 forchildren ages 5 to 12, and the 8:30 p.m. seating is $95 for adultsand $35 for children ages 5 to 12. Go to lacosta.com or call800-854-5000.

New Year's Eve at The Grand Del Mar:
Aseven-course dinner from 6 to 11 p.m. at Addison is $175 per person($300 with wine pairings) and includes items such as Foie Gras PotDe Creme With Smoked Bacon And Sweet Sesame Tuile; Braised BeefShort Rib With Smoked Potato Puree With Crispy Creminis; and acheese course. Call 858-314-1900. Amaya will serve a four-coursemeal from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. for $125 per person ($175 with winepairings); menu items include Pine Mushroom Consomme; Pan-RoastedPink Snapper; and Trio Of Champagne-Infused Treats. Call858-314-2727.

Thanksgiving Day specials

Henry's food drive:
Henry's Farmers Markets areholding their annual Grab 'n' Give holiday food drive through Jan.4. Shoppers can grab a pre-filled grocery bag at a 10 percentdiscount at checkout stands; the bags can be dropped into a binnear the door on the way out. Also, shoppers can donate toward aturkey for families in need. Go to henrysmarkets.com.

Barona Resort & Casino, San Diego:
BaronaOaks Steakhouse will have a $40 three-course menu (items alsoavailable a la carte) from 5 to 10 p.m.; The Ranch House Buffetwill have an all-you-can-eat feast for $29.95 from 10 a.m. to 10p.m.; and Sage Cafe will have a prix-fixe menu and a la carte itemsfrom noon to midnight. Go to barona.com or call 888-7-BARONA.

Cafe Sevilla, San Diego:
Three-course feastwith rumba and flamenco guitarists; the nightclub will be open andincludes a free buffet from 8 to 10 p.m. Back at the restaurant,the Thanksgiving menu is $27.95 per person and $12.95 for achildren's menu (under 12). Go to cafesevilla.com or call619-233-5979.

Falkner Winery, Temecula:
Pinnacle restaurantwill host a special dinner for two from Friday through Sunday for$55 per couple. The special has a shared appetizer, separateentrees (Blackened Chicken Pasta or Italian-Style Beef Sandwich), ashared dessert and a glass of wine apiece. Go to falknerwinery.comor call 951-676-8231.

Hotel del Coronado, Coronado:
Buffet from 12 to6 p.m. in the Crown Room and Ballroom is $85 for adults, $37.50 forchildren ages 6 to 10 and free for children 5 and under. Also, 1500OCEAN will have a four-course menu from 4 to 9 p.m. E-maildeldining@hoteldel.com or call 619-522-8490.

Lael's, San Diego:
During the day, diners canvisit the buffet from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., priced at $59 for adults,$49 for seniors (65 and over) and $9.95 for children ages 4 to 12.Dinner options include a three- or four-course prix-fixe menu($35-$40), the buffet or the regular menu. Lael's is at theManchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place. Call 619-358-6735.

Westgate Hotel, San Diego:
Buffet in the LeFontainebleau Room from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. is $65, and dinner in theWestgate Room starts at 11 a.m. for $59. Go towww.westgatehotel.com or call 800-522-1564.

Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula:
Buffet from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Creekside Grille has items such as homemaderavioli stuffed with ricotta, spinach and butter sage; butternutsquash soup; and hand-carved roast turkey with giblet gravy,mushroom and sausage stuffing. Buffet is $50 per person andincludes a glass of almond champagne; $24.95 for children ages 6 to12, and free for children under 6. Go to wilsoncreekwinery.com orcall 951-699-9463.

Classes

Alchemy of the Hearth:
Offers cooking classesat its new location, 960 Rancheros Drive, Suite L, San Marcos.Classes from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. are geared toward children andteens. Alchemy of the Hearth is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Go toalchemyofthehearth.com or call 760-233-2433.

City of Hope:
The Rancho Bernardo chapter ofthe City of Hope will host a culinary delight program with foodsculptor Sue Wagner, chef Avin Friedman, Karin Fitzgerald of ThePampered Chef and Shari Kennedy of Tastefully Simple at 1 p.m. Dec.3. The chefs will demonstrate how to prepare healthy meals usingonly two or three ingredients. The event is at the Oaks NorthCommunity Center; tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.Call 858-487-8041.

Cooking@Home:
Phillis Carey will teach simplemeals to cook at home at the Center for a Healthy Lifestyle, 533Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Classes are $45 and start at 6p.m. E-mail phillis@philliscarey.com.

Encinitas Library:
Elizabeth Podsiadlo, alsoknown as the Opera Singing Chef, will demonstrate one of herfavorite holiday recipes at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the EncinitasLibrary. Podsiadlo will demonstrate Amaretto Pound Cake and willread from her new book, "The Last Aria." Go towww.theoperasingingchef.com or call 760-753-7673.

Grand Del Mar Culinary series:
These monthlytwo-hour sessions take place year-round, conducted by the resort'schefs. Call 858-314-2000. The Grand Del Mar is at 5300 Grand DelMar Court. Classes are in the resort kitchen unless otherwisenoted. Upcoming:

San Diego Natural History Museum:
The museumwill hold a series of lectures on sustainable food this fall.Lectures and kick-off party are $5. Go towww.sdnhm.org/sustainableplanet:

-- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday: Sustainable Agriculture: A Necessary
Tradition

-- 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12: Ecology of Soil: A Public Health
Concern

-- 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2: Eating Greener: The Ecology of Food

-- 6:30 p.m. March 2: Victory Gardens: Join the Garden
Revolution

-- 6:30 p.m. May 4: Developing Sustainable Foodsheds: The Next
Steps in Eating Local

South Coast cooking class:
South Coast WineryResort & Spa will host a Wild Women of Wine Country cookingclass at 11 a.m. Dec. 7. The $25 class will cover how to cook withwine. Go to southcoastwinery.com or call 951-587-9463.

Teen cooking:
Alchemy of the Hearth and thePoway Adult School are teaming to offer "Teen Chefs in the Making"and "Teen Pastry Chefs in the Making." Classes for ages 13 and upwill take place at 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at RanchoBernardo High School. Call 858-668-4000 or go towww.powayadultschool.com or www.alchemyofthehearth.com.

Vines and Wines:
The Wine Smarties and WilsonCreek Winery will hold a "Vines and Wines 101" class at 1 p.m. Dec.13 at Wilson Creek. The class is for aspiring wine professionals orwine lovers who just want to know more. Class is $50; call951-699-9463.

The North County Wine Company:
Tastings dailyat 1099 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, plus special events from 10a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Call760-744-2119 or visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com.

Stone Brewery:
The Escondido brewery andrestaurant is hosting a series of pairings over the next few monthsat 1999 Citracado Parkway in Escondido. Call 760-471-4999 or go towww.stonebrew.com.

T&H Prime Meats & Sausage:
The shop nowoffers tastings from 10 San Diego wineries from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Thursdays-Saturdays for $5, which includes four tastes and a SanDiego Vintners Association souvenir wine glass, at 735 E. MissionRoad, San Marcos. Call 760-471-9192.

Vine to Glass:
The Oceanside wine bar holdstastings six days a week and has biweekly events for $10 to $15;small-production boutique wines are available by the glass orbottle. Beer tastings are $6; antipasto platters are $15. The baris open 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 1 to 9 p.m.Thursday-Saturday; and 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Vine to Glass is at210-A N. Coast Highway in Oceanside; call 760-757-2254 or go tovinetoglass.com.

Vinz Wine Bar:
Full restaurant menu with widewine menu by the glass or bottle. Tastings are from $5-$10 from 5to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and come withcharcuterie and cheese. Live music on Saturdays. Vinz is at 201 E.Grand Ave., Escondido. Call 760-743-8466 or visitvinzwinebar.net.

The Wine Spot:
Tastings at its new location,2917 State St., Carlsbad. House tastings are offered any time; callfor the tasting of the week. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to7 p.m. Sunday; call 760-434-9463 or visit the-wine-spot.com.

Wine Styles:
The Encinitas wine store hoststastings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays.Cost is $15 or $10 for WineClub members and includes six to eightwines and snacks. The shop also hosts WineDown Fridays, whereguests enjoy wine and live music and can bring in food tosocialize. Call 760-633-0057.